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CALGARY — A controversial U.S. fast food franchise has set up shop in Calgary.

Chick-fil-A opened Tuesday at the departures level of the Calgary International Airport, outside of the Delta and WestJet ticket counter, said Cheryl Dick, senior director of operations for licensing.

It's currently the only location open in Canada, though not the first to ever come to the country.

"We were in Canada before in 1995 and learned a lot through that experience, but we weren't open very long and now we have an opportunity to work with our business partner HMSHost and open this new location," she said.

"It's a great opportunity for us to introduce the brand, the food, our service, to Calgarians.”

The franchise — famous for chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and being closed on Sundays — came under fire after its president publicly opposed gay marriage in 2012.

When asked if the company is worried about how it will be perceived while operating in Canada, a country that supports gay marriage, Chick-fil-A spokeswoman Brenda Morrow said it will be a welcoming place.

"As a restaurant company, we are just really focused on the food service and the hospitality and so we are going to strive to make it a welcoming place for everyone that wants a great meal," Morrow said.